Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." —Jeremiah 1: 4-5

Jeremiah's life and ministry began in the mind of God before Jeremiah was ever born. The same is true of each of us. Before we were conceived, God knew us and prepared a perfect plan for each of us— a purpose we are to fulfill for His glory.

As we age, we can look back and see how God prepared us for the work that He would have us do. However, we still have our free will, which God will not violate. So not all of us are actually fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Many have rejected God's will for their lives in order to follow their own desires.

God has a work for each of you to accomplish for His glory.

The Scriptures tell us that, "The Lord… is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3: 9), yet not all come to repentance. That's God's will, but many do perish because they fight against it. So although God has ordained and separated a person, that person must surrender himself to do that will of God to fulfill His plan.

The Lord has a calling for each of us to accomplish for Him. God's strength is sufficient for you to fulfill that plan, so why not surrender to His will?

Father, help us to be faithful to the call You have placed upon our lives. Help us give ourselves to You to be used as You desire. May we bring Your will to pass on this earth and bring Your love and truth to a needy world. In Jesus' name, amen.